February 28, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network
The Chicago Cubs close out spring training with the toughest test possible—the Los Angeles Dodgers. They went 94–68 last year, won the NL West, and made another deep playoff run. We went 78–84 and missed the postseason for the millionth time.
This is the final exam before Opening Day. Tyler Glasnow vs Walker Buehler. Jackson Merrill vs Gavin Lux at shortstop. Pete Crow-Armstrong vs Mookie Betts in center field. Our young core trying to prove they belong on the same field as one of baseball’s best organizations.
For Cubs fans, this is our last chance to see whether the offseason moves actually closed the gap on teams like Los Angeles. Can Glasnow dominate an elite lineup? Will Merrill hold his own against proven championship talent? Can our young guys compete with the Dodgers?
Let’s find out.
Where the Cubs Stand After a Productive Spring
2025 Record: 78–84
We’ve talked about last season’s disappointment all spring—78–84, six games under .500, another year watching other teams play in October. The front office responded by signing Tyler Glasnow, acquiring Jackson Merrill, and betting on Pete Crow-Armstrong becoming an everyday player.
This spring has shown us enough to believe those moves will pay off. Now we need to prove it against the best.
Key Players:
- Tyler Glasnow (SP): Elite strikeout pitcher who’s been sharp all spring, gets his final tune-up today
- Jackson Merrill (SS): Smooth defender with developing bat, our potential franchise shortstop
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF): Elite defense and speed, showing offensive growth all spring
Top Prospects:
- Cade Horton (RHP): Pushing for a rotation spot with strong performances
- Matt Shaw (INF): Versatile bat who’s impressed in Arizona
- Kevin Alcántara (OF): Toolsy outfielder still developing
Today’s the last game before it counts. Glasnow needs one more quality start. Merrill needs to keep building confidence. And our young guys need to show they can compete with championship-caliber talent.
The Los Angeles Dodgers: What Excellence Looks Like
2025 Record: 94–68 (NL West Champions)
The Dodgers are everything we’re trying to become—elite talent, organizational depth, sustainable success, and a front office that consistently builds winners. They’ve made the playoffs in seemingly every year since forever, and they don’t show signs of slowing down.
Key Players:
- Mookie Betts (OF): MVP-caliber superstar who does everything at an elite level
- Freddie Freeman (1B): Perennial All-Star, championship veteran
- Walker Buehler (RHP): Playoff-tested ace when healthy, getting the start today
Top Prospects:
- Dalton Rushing (C): Catching prospect with upside
- Diego Cartaya (C): Another catching prospect in their loaded system
- Gavin Stone (RHP): Pitching depth piece who could contribute soon
The Dodgers develop talent, sign superstars, and compete every single year. That’s the model. We’re trying to get there, but we’re not close yet.
The Matchups That Define This Game
| Position | Cubs | Dodgers |
|---|---|---|
| Shortstop | Jackson Merrill | Gavin Lux |
| Center Field | Pete Crow-Armstrong | Mookie Betts |
| Starting Pitcher | Tyler Glasnow | Walker Buehler |
Jackson Merrill vs Gavin Lux at Shortstop
Merrill is our rising star trying to establish himself as a franchise cornerstone. Lux is a proven playoff performer on a championship-caliber team. Merrill has higher upside, but Lux is the safer, more established player right now.
Pete Crow-Armstrong vs Mookie Betts in Center Field
This is fun. Crow-Armstrong is our young center fielder with elite defense trying to prove he can hit. Betts is one of the best players in baseball—MVP winner, World Series champion, does everything at an elite level. The gap is massive, but PCA can learn from watching Betts work.
Tyler Glasnow vs Walker Buehler on the Mound
Both are elite strikeout pitchers when healthy. Glasnow has higher velocity and swing-and-miss stuff. Buehler has playoff experience and a proven track record. This should be a quality pitching matchup between two aces.
What the Cubs Need to See Today
Tyler Glasnow Dominates One Last Time
Glasnow’s been excellent all spring. Today, he faces an elite Dodgers lineup loaded with championship talent. Three or four innings of dominance—strikeouts, sharp command, no walks. Show us he’s ready to be our Opening Day ace against the best competition.
Jackson Merrill Competes With Gavin Lux
Merrill doesn’t need to out-hit Lux, but he needs to show he belongs on the same field. A couple of quality at-bats, smooth defense, smart baserunning. Prove you’re ready to be our everyday shortstop.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Shows He’s Ready
PCA’s defense is already Gold Glove caliber. But against a team like the Dodgers that can exploit any weakness, he needs to show the bat is catching up. Hard contact, smart approaches, aggressive baserunning. Show us you’re more than just a defensive specialist.
Cade Horton or Matt Shaw Make Final Statements
If either gets innings today, capitalize. Horton should dominate if he pitches. Shaw needs to keep hitting. These are the final auditions before Opening Day rosters are finalized.
Finish Spring Training Strong
No injuries. Clean execution. Look like a team that’s ready for the regular season. We’ve had a solid spring—let’s end it by competing with one of baseball’s best organizations.
What the Dodgers Will Bring (And Why This Is Tough)
Mookie Betts will probably do something incredible—a stolen base, a diving catch, a clutch hit. Walker Buehler will challenge our hitters with playoff-caliber stuff. Freddie Freeman will work professional at-bats and get on base.
The Dodgers’ depth—both pitching and hitting—will overwhelm most teams. They’re championship-caliber for a reason. If we can compete with them for even five or six innings, that’s progress.
Cubs vs Dodgers: Measuring the Gap
The Dodgers won 94 games and made a deep playoff run. We won 78 and missed the postseason entirely. That 16-game gap matters.
But we made bigger moves this offseason. Glasnow is a legitimate ace. Merrill could be a franchise shortstop. Our young core has higher upside than what we had last year.
Today’s game shows whether that potential is translating into actual improvement. Can we compete with the Dodgers? Not beat them necessarily, but compete—make them work, execute against their talent, show we’re closing the gap?
That’s what matters in the final spring training game.
Cubs Fan Prediction: Competitive, But They’re Better
Final Score: Dodgers 6, Cubs 4
Tyler Glasnow throws four solid innings with six strikeouts, showing he can compete with elite lineups. Walker Buehler matches him early, keeping it scoreless through three.
Jackson Merrill goes 2-for-3 with a double and looks every bit like a future star. Pete Crow-Armstrong makes a highlight-reel catch in center and legs out an infield single. Matt Shaw comes off the bench and drives in a run.
But Mookie Betts does Mookie Betts things—a homer, a stolen base, a ridiculous defensive play. Freddie Freeman works smart at-bats and drives in runs. The Dodgers’ depth takes over in the late innings, and they pull away.
We compete. We show flashes. But they’re the better team, and it shows. Two-run loss feels about right—close enough to prove we can hang, not close enough to actually win.
Why This Game Matters (Even Though It’s Spring Training)
We’re not chasing a Cactus League championship. We’re chasing validation that the offseason moves actually improved the roster.
Can Tyler Glasnow dominate elite hitters like Betts and Freeman? Will Jackson Merrill show he’s our long-term answer at shortstop? Can Pete Crow-Armstrong hit enough to justify his elite defense? Are our prospects ready to contribute?
The Dodgers represent what we’re trying to build—sustainable excellence, championship talent, organizational depth. They’ve been to the World Series multiple times. They develop talent and sign superstars. They compete every single year.
We need to get there. And today’s game shows how far we still have to go.
Last season, 78–84 wasn’t good enough. Cubs fans are tired of rebuilding. We want to compete with teams like Los Angeles, not just admire them from afar.
Spring training is over after today. The games start counting for real. And we need to prove that 2026 will be different.
Go Cubs Go. Let’s compete with the best and show we’re ready for Opening Day.